d him
into a job that simply could not be carried out--at least not without
whiskey. If Bill had let him bring all he wanted to drink, perhaps
things could have been done as planned.

Whatever was done would have to be accomplished quickly, as the white
horse, with its double burden, was getting close. Jim sighted once or
twice along his rifle barrel. Then he dropped the weapon into the hollow
of his arm, and, leading his horse, stepped in front of Helen.

The parley was brief. McFann sent the youngster scurrying along the back
trail, after a few threats in Indian tongue, which were dire enough to
seal the child's lips in fright. Helen was startled at first when the
half-breed halted her, but her composure soon returned. She had no
weapon, nor would she have attempted to use one in any event, as she
knew the half-breed was famous for his quickness and cleverness with
firearms. Nor could anything be gained by attempting to ride him down in
the trail. She did not ask any questions, for she felt they would be
futile.

The half-breed was surprised at the calmness with which matters were
being taken. With singular ease and grace--another gift from his Indian
forbears--Jim slid into his saddle, and, seizing the white horse by the
bridle, turned the animal around and started it up the trail beside him.
In a few minutes Jim had found his trail of the evening before, and was
working swiftly back toward the mountains. When Helen slyly dropped her
handkerchief, as an aid to any one who might follow, the half-breed
quietly turned back and, after picking it up, informed her that he would
kill her if she tried any more such tricks. Realizing the folly of any
further attempts to outwit the half-breed, Helen rode silently on. Not
once did McFann strike across a ridge. Imprisoning slopes seemed to be
shutting them in without surcease, and Helen looked in vain for any aid.

As they approached the foothills, and the travel increased in
difficulty, McFann told Helen to ride close behind him. He glanced
around occasionally to see that she was obeying orders. The old white
horse struggled gamely after the half-breed's wiry animal, and McFann
was compelled to wait only once or twice. Meanwhile Helen had thought
over the situation from every possible angle, and had concluded to go
ahead and not make any effort to thwart the half-breed. She knew that
the reservation was more free from crime than the counties surrounding
it. She also knew th